Subject: God

Statement of Faith: We believe in the unity of the One True and Living God who is the Eternal, Self-Existent “I AM”, who has also revealed Himself as One Being co-existing in three Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Trinity – although not used in Scripture it describes the nature of God – tri (3) unity – the 3 persons of the Godhead in total unity. Direct and indirect implications of the Trinity: Gen.1:1-2; 1:26; Deut.6:4-5; Ps.110:1; Mat.3:16-17; 28:19; 2Cor.13:14. God is 3 distinct Persons (i.e. God the Father is not God the Son or God the Holy Spirit) Jn.14:26; 16:7; 17:24; Rom.8:27; 1Jn.2:1. Each Person is fully God: Is.9:6; Acts 5:3-4 Ps.139:7-8. But there is only 1 God: Ex.15:11; Deut.6:4-5; Is.45:5-6; 44:6-8; 45:21-22. We know God through Jesus Christ (Jn.1:17; Acts4:12; Heb.10:19-20)

Some heresies:  Modalism: (God appearing as 3 forms, or "modes") God in OT, Jesus in Gospels, Holy Spirit now (proof texts used: Jn.10:30; 14:9). The United Pentecostal Church holds to this view. Arianism: Jesus was created by God the Father and so not eternally equal with God. (proof texts used: Jn.3:16 God's begotten Son; Col.1:15). Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses holds this view or variations on it.

1. What do you understand by inspired (God-breathed)? See 2Tim.3:16

2. What is Scripture? What makes the Scriptures different from the apocrypha and other sacred writings? See Lk.1:1-4;Col.4:16.

3. What is the Septuagint (LXX)? What is the Masoretic text? How do you explain the differences between some of the verses in the OT and their quotations in the NT? (e.g. Ps.8:2 some versions /Matt.21:16 –; Deut.30:14/Rom.10:7)

4. Why do the various Bible translations differ? Give some examples of these differences

5. What is the purpose of the Scriptures? (Jn.5:39;20:30-31; 21:24-25; Rom.15:4-6; 1Cor.10:6; Deut.32:46-47; Acts 17:11; Lk.24:25f)

6. Do you think the Elim version (We believe the Bible, as originally given, to be without error...) is helpful?

7. How would you explain the trustworthiness of Scripture to a non-Christian? How would you communicate it to them?

8. Can the meaning of words in one language be conveyed with absolute accuracy in the words of another language? Why or why not? Can you point to examples from your knowledge of different cultures or languages?

9. Suppose you were going to translate the Bible for a nomadic tribe that lived on the edges of the Gobi desert of Asia, nowhere near any ocean or lake—how would you seek to convey biblical ideas like Jesus walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee? What other translation problems might you encounter? How would you deal with them?

10. Is there a difference between the Word of God and Scripture? See Jn.5:37-40.

Recommended Reading (Click Here):

T.L.Osborn dvd (MP3 or audio cd)  The Christ Connection – Miracle:

Episode 2 (1 hr.22 min) - Inspiration: What makes the Christian faith more than a religion?

1. T.L.Osborn says that we are “God’s Embassy”. What does he mean by this?

2. What does he mean when he says we are “God’s interpreters”?

3. What was John the Baptist’s message (Mark 1:12f)? Should this be ours too?

4. How does T.L.Osborn define the Kingdom of God? Do you agree with him?

5. What does “repentance” mean?  6. How did Jesus resist the devil? How can we?